Hengqin Chimelong Resort shines at international awards ceremony with two major awards
The Zhuhai Hengqin mega-resort is recognised for its multiple theme parks, luxury hotels, exhibition spaces, shopping malls and theatres
Marking another milestone for China’s theme park and cultural entertainment scene, Chimelong Group was honoured for the eighth time by the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) in Los Angeles on March 15.
Founded in 1991, the TEA is a non-profit organisation representing 1,600 members, including top creators, developers, designers and producers in the themed entertainment industry.
Each year, the association applies strict criteria to award projects, technologies and individuals for their contribution to excellence at the Thea Awards, its peer-voted independent award show widely regarded as the industry’s Oscars.
This year, Hengqin Chimelong Resort was honoured with two prestigious accolades – the Outstanding Achievement Award – Marine Theme Park, in recognition of its groundbreaking mega-attraction, Chimelong Spaceship; and the Outstanding Achievement Award – Spectacular Show, for its multicultural circus performance, Chimelong Show.
The group remains the first and only Chinese brand to receive multiple awards from the Thea Awards, a testament to its dedication to pushing boundaries with industry-leading projects and performances.
In his acceptance speech, Paul Su, senior vice-president of Chimelong Group, thanked the key team members behind the winning projects. He also acknowledged the vision of company founder and chairman Su Zhigang, who last year became the first Asian entrepreneur to receive the Buzz Price Thea Award for a Lifetime of Distinguished Achievements.
“Ten years ago, chairman Su Zhigang envisioned creating the world’s largest indoor theme park, integrating entertainment and science education,” said Paul Su, speaking at the awards ceremony. “What was then seen as an impossible task became a reality through the collaboration of an international team.”
Paul Su attributed the company’s success to its strategy of combining Chinese creativity with global resources. This approach helped the project overcome technological delays during the pandemic to complete the Chimelong Spaceship, a project that has set seven Guinness World Records.
At an estimated 4 million sq ft, Chimelong Spaceship is the world’s largest indoor theme park and aquarium, more than twice the size of the previous Guinness World Record holder.
Its expansive climate-controlled facility hosts 15 themed zones featuring numerous family rides and multisensory attractions, including displays of more than 150,000 marine animals from 400 species.
With a science-focused approach, exhibits have been designed to be both educational and entertaining, filled with information about the ocean’s endangered species and environmental conservation messages for children and adults.
A key feature of the park is its close-up experiences with rare underwater animals. At the Orca Stadium and Whale Life restaurant, guests can observe orcas up close, while the immersive Whale Universe aquarium features dancing orcas.
The park also blends live animal shows, including the Mermaid Dream Show, Water Light Show and Amazon Tales, with cutting-edge rides such as Bermuda Adventure, Deep Sea Submarine and Spaceship Adventure complete with pyrotechnics designed to thrill audiences.
Chimelong Spaceship regularly updates its events and activities to attract repeat visitors. This spring, the venue will launch the world’s first Orca Music Festival, allowing guests to take seasonally themed photographs with the orca family. In the evenings, an orca carnival parade will take place against the backdrop of a fireworks display.
Chimelong Group’s second Thea Award winner Chimelong Show has received widespread acclaim for its impressive visuals, entertainment value and daring stunts.
Featuring 300 world-class performers from 28 countries, this modern circus show combines acrobatics, dance, comedy and extreme sports. Created by an international team and directed by the descendants of an Eastern European circus family, it incorporates cultural elements from China, Russia, Argentina, Africa and the United States.
The show takes place on a three-level stage surrounded by three waterways, covering 63,000 sqm. The unique stage structure creates a three-dimensional effect, enhanced by a 270-degree panoramic ring that offers changing perspectives throughout the performance.
“The award for Chimelong Show is not only a recognition of Chinese circus as a cultural showcase but also an acknowledgment of Chimelong’s long-term commitment to promoting circus arts and culture worldwide,” Paul Su says.
The award-winning Chimelong Spaceship and Chimelong Show have played a key role in attracting 100 million visitors to Hengqin Chimelong Resort, driving regional tourism revenue and creating employment in the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin.
Along with the Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, these two attractions form part of the Chimelong Group’s integrated ecosystem, which includes theme parks, resort hotels, speciality dining, themed merchandise and cultural performances on Hengqin Island.
Chimelong’s latest recognition from the TEA also highlights China’s growing influence in the global themed entertainment landscape, demonstrating the nation’s ability to integrate innovative design, cutting-edge technology and immersive storytelling to create world-class visitor experiences.